Kate Expectations

Kate Middleton Re-wears Prince George Christening Coat for Queen’s Garden Party

Prince William joins his wife and grandmother at the event for the first time.
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In 2013 (left); and 2016 (right).Left, by John Stillwell/AFP, right, by Dan Kitwood, both from Getty Images.

The Duchess of Cambridge is quite famous for her penchant for wearing outfits multiple times. It is, at this point, more of a surprise to see her attending an event in an ensemble she hasn’t worn before than to see her in something new. This has, of course, given Kate the reputation for being relatable (as “relatable” as a princess who lives in a palace and who appears on the cover of Vogue can be), and has become one of the central features of her brand, as it were.

But Kate has reached new heights in recycling clothing on Tuesday, as she wore the—and we do not use this word causally—iconic cream Alexander McQueen coat that she wore to Prince George’s christening, in 2013, again for the Queen’s garden party. This was Kate’s fourth time attending the Queen’s garden party, the first occurring in 2012. (If you are wondering what happens exactly at one of the Queen’s Buckingham Palace garden parties, the Daily Mail describes it as such: “Each summer the monarch invites members of the public to sip tea and eat cucumber sandwiches in the grounds of her official London residence.” So, basically exactly what you would expect.) Prince William joined Kate at the event for the first time, and the pair appeared together on the terrace of the palace with the Queen. Per the Daily Mail, 27,000 teas, 20,000 sandwiches, and 20,000 cake slices will be served at the event. (Yes, those numbers are correct—it is an obscene amount of cake.)

Re-wearing the christening coat isn’t in and of itself so wild, but it’s a little bit like the royal version of wearing the outfit you’re wearing in your Facebook profile picture or Twitter avatar out to a friend’s birthday party—or maybe closer to a bride wearing her wedding dress out to a formal summer barbecue. Also, maybe Kate figured, hey, William’s wearing a top hat to this thing—let’s let him take some of the fashion focus for once and I’ll wear an outfit everyone’s already seen before!